Time to Cut the Crap on the Murray Darling Basin Plan

12/04/2019


The Ricegrowers’ Association (RGA), its members and the communities in which they live have had a gut full of politicians saying the Murray Darling Basin Plan that has been imposed upon them is the best it can be. A best worst plan is completely unacceptable.

RGA is sick to death of attempting to minimise the damage to our communities in return for little or no net benefit for the environment. We are fed up with knee jerk reactions to extreme views with the aim of silencing the criticism.

There are too many sacred cows that must be part of the discussion to achieve a healthy and productive Murray Darling Basin. The constant push to highlight the different views rather than focus on the common ground may suit a political outcome but it is ripping Murray Darling Basin communities apart.

Politicians of all persuasions must empower communities to determine their own future. This will be a long and at times painful journey but it will result in an outcome owned by Murray Darling Basin communities that we can all live with.

This will require changes to the implementation of the Basin Plan which have been recommended following the review of the Basin Plan by the Productivity Commission.

RGA recommends,
Taking all the time necessary to get the best possible outcomes,
Empower Murray Darling communities to determine the future implementation of the Basin Plan and
Provide all the resources necessary to achieve the agreed outcomes with no negative social and economic impacts.


Media Contact: Belinda Lambert, RGA Communications Manager - 0488 071 165
                             Jeremy Morton, RGA President – 0429 873 230